PAUL HOLLERAN is the first to admit he never reached his potential as a player. That disappointment, he says, has made his managerial successes even sweeter.
The Leamington boss saw his Brakes side clinch the Southern League Premier last Saturday after a 1-0 win at Bideford.
The 42-year-old began his playing career at Birmingham City before moving into Non-League with Boldmere St Michaels, Kings Norton and Solihull Borough. However, at the age of 26, he decided to call it quits after having two knee operations.
After reforming in 2000, Leamington – who were a big name in Non-League in the 1970s and 80s – have risen from the Midland Combination Division Two to Step 2 of Non-League.
And the toughest hurdle of them all, the Southern Premier, has finally been navigated by Holleran and his men after just missing out on the play-offs last season – a year after defeat at the semi-final stage.
“I made the decision to retire at a young age because I wasn't going where I wanted to go,” Holleran said.
“I wasn't playing at the level I wanted to and I was heavily into coaching and the managing side of things. I took the plunge and I remember thinking, ‘Am I making the right decision?'. Thankfully things have turned out well.
Foundations
“Some of the occasions I've had as a manager I missed out on or didn't achieve as a player. It's fantastic what I've been able to achieve so far and I've had some great moments in the FA Cup and play-offs. Finishing first was the only one I was missing!
“I think I'm an example to a lot of kids out there who don't quite make it. Keep working hard, keep at it and you can achieve good things in football.”
Holleran got his first taste in management at now-defunct Midland Alliance outfit Kings Norton Town. A move to Solihull Borough, now Solihull Moors after merging with Moor Green, soon came and after working his way up to assistant manager, Holleran was given the reins following former Coventry man Dave Busst's departure in the summer of 2003.
He guided Boro into the Southern League Premier before moving to Halesowen a year later and doing the same at the Grove.
The Yeltz also enjoyed a run to the FA Cup first round. With promotion just out of reach, he was sacked by Halesowen, a time which Holleran says was his lowest in football.
But success followed once more, this time with Rushall Olympic, where he took over in January 2007. He led the unfancied club to two play-off semi-finals, losing one ironically to Leamington.
After resigning as boss of the Pics, he was given the task of consolidating the Brakes as a Southern League Premier club in November 2009 – their first season back at Step 3.
Three seasons might have been too long for some, but Holleran says it has given the club stronger foundations – something which he thinks other clubs can learn from.
He said: “Leamington has good history as a football town. The club is really well run by very professional people and it's a nice club to be around.
“It's an example to most people that clubs can compete at Southern Premier level without a benefactor and without being in debt.
Rewards
“We've made big strides both on and off the pitch over the past few years. We've reaped the rewards of signing some younger lads and sticking with them.
“I'd say 95 per cent of the squad is from this level or below and while we wanted to remain competitive, we tried to pick up players that were hungry.
“We've not been able to go out and pick up the finished article but by playing in this league, they've all progressed massively.
“Bit by bit we've picked up players that have fitted in with the squad. Stefan Moore this year has been massive for us and he's a breath of fresh air as he has proven, but it's not all about him.
“You get some clubs who pump loads of money into the team and leave the ground behind or the other way round. Here at Leamington we've done both slowly and winning the Southern Premier has been the icing on the cake.”
The Brakes boss now hopes his side can continue their progression in the Conference North – a level Holleran has always hoped he would manage at.
He said: “At Halesowen we put together a team that wasn't far away and you'd see other clubs in the area who made it and think, ‘I'd love a go at that'.
“To take Leamington up to that level will be a great experience for me, the players and the supporters –we've all earned it.”
And when asked about taking his team to newly-relegated Stockport County, Holleran quipped: “I bet they're already quaking in their boots!”
While he may have been joking, the Brakes will be one to keep an eye on next year as the spa town has football on the brain once again.
